The Berkshire region of western Massachusetts offers multiple camping and luxury glamping options across elevations from 1,000 to 2,000 feet. Campgrounds near Worthington, Massachusetts provide access to rivers, trails, and state forests. This region experiences typical New England seasons with warm summers and cold winters, making camping season generally run from May through October.
What to do
Hiking at Savoy Mountain: State forest trails provide varying difficulty levels for day hikes. "The campground has a nice loop for the kids to bike. North Pond has a small beach for swimming. Didnt have any luck fishing at North or South pond. A lot of hiking trails in the area. Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit," notes one Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground visitor.
River activities near Charlemont: Access the Deerfield River for water sports. A camper at Country Aire Campgrounds mentions, "This campground is family oriented. They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor. It is run buy a family business... We are very close to Berkshire East, in a small town of Shelburne Falls."
Mountain biking nearby: Several trails available within a 30-minute drive. "This is a nice campground that my fiance and I stayed at after a day of mountain biking at Mount Snow. It had good facilities, a few lean-to's if you were lucky enough to get them booked before they were gone, and friendly campers," shares a visitor to Molly Stark State Park.
What campers like
Privacy levels vary: Some sites offer more seclusion than others. A camper at October Mountain State Forest Campground notes, "Some of the sites are very visible and a few are tucked away into the woods with privacy. Most are pretty close to their neighbors. Although we were here on Wednesday and Thursday during the summer and the campground was pretty quiet after 9PM."
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain good bathroom standards. One Woodford State Park Campground visitor commented, "This campground is very well kept and very clean. The bathrooms were the cleanest campground bathrooms I've ever seen! The campsites are pretty big and somewhat private which is nice."
Family atmosphere: Many sites cater to families with children. "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," explains a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds operate mid-May through mid-October. "The sites on the outside of the loop are shaded, but most of the ones toward the middle are open and grassy," reports a camper at Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground.
Amenities vary significantly: Research available facilities before booking. "Staff was very nice, adequate amenities. Very little privacy between campsites even in wooded areas. A smaller operation with a high percentage of seasonal residents. They do seem to offer some interesting activities for kids with weekend fire engine rides," one visitor observed about Northampton / Springfield KOA.
Reservation requirements: Book several weeks in advance for weekend stays, especially for specialty accommodations. "First off no same day reservations or walk ups allowed, second it yells you that the fee is $17.50 per site, I expected a little added extra fee for booking etc.... check out was $58.50 per night," warns an October Mountain visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with structured programming. A Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park visitor shares, "I flew up here from Louisiana and met my sister in a primitive tent site. The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! Pool was lovely and refreshing. The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around."
Wildlife education opportunities: Several campgrounds have nature programs. "You have to check out the marsh trail it is absolutely stunning. The camp ground is very close to the local supper market and not much further from a hospital," notes an October Mountain camper.
Swimming options: Check for clean water access with designated swimming areas. "We liked this campground a lot! Lots of trees and shade. Great pool. The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!" mentions a Prospect Mountain visitor.
Tips for RVers
Limited hookups at state parks: Many state parks have minimal or no RV services. "We were able to book site 112 at the last minute and the staff waited for us to arrive. Although they were very friendly, they dropped the ball when it came to cleanliness and park security. We had water and a 15 amp power box at our site and it was great for a tent but not for anything else," reports a Northampton / Springfield KOA visitor.
Site selection matters: Research specific sites before booking. "Although sites are squeezed in, it is a nice family campground. However the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow. Tricky footing for older folks like my wife and I," warns a visitor to Spacious Skies Woodland Hills.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging roads. One camper at Molly Stark State Park advises, "This campsite is awesome, and it is even nicer if you are able to get a site on the outer ring with a little bit more privacy! The bathrooms were also kept nice, and the levels of trash around the campgrounds were pretty much non-existent."
